The UK Surpreme Court ruled last June that abortion laws in Northern Ireland are in breach of human rights, but a final ruling could not be made as the case wasn't brought by an individual (Image: Jonathan Porter/PressEye)

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A court in Belfast has heard of one woman's traumatic experience of seeking an abortion after receiving a diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality.

Sarah Ewart, 28, who was refused a termination in Northern Ireland in 2013 due to strict laws, was harangued by anti-abortion protesters and felt like "part of a conveyor belt" when she travelled to a London clinic to end her pregnancy, Belfast High Court heard.

She has also contended that she was refused advice on how to seek a termination, and that her medical records were not sent to the clinic.

She described the experience as leaving her feeling "vulnerable and humiliated".

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Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that Northern Ireland's abortion laws were in breach of human rights laws.

However, they concluded that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission - which brought the case - did not have the power to bring the proceedings as it was not itself a "victim" of any unlawful act.

Sarah Ewart takes landmark case against the law on abortion in Northern Ireland at the High Court in Belfast (Image: Jonathan Porter/PressEye)

Now Ms Ewart has brought a fresh legal challenge before the court.

The case is being heard by Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan and is expected to conclude on Thursday.

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Mr Straw outlined that there is "compelling evidence of serious impact" on women who carry a pregnancy with fatal foetal abnormalities to full term.

He referred to evidence given to the Supreme Court by Professor James Dornan, director of foetal medicine at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Service in Belfast, that there is a risk of sepsis to the mother and also "significant risks" to the mental health of a woman continuing a pregnancy knowing that the foetus could die at any moment.

Mrs Ewart, 28, had to travel to England five years ago to have her pregnancy terminated because of a fatal foetal abnormality (Image: Jonathan Porter/PressEye)

Mr Straw also referred to Ms Ewart's personal experiences of seeking a termination after learning her pregnancy had fatal foetal abnormalities.

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Those who favoured the status quo carried signs which said "Life is a right, not a privilege".

Sarah Ewart (centre) her mother Jane Christie (left) and Grainne Teggart from Amnesty International (right) arrive at the High Court in Belfast (Image: Jonathan Porter/PressEye)

Others said judges and politicians had a responsibility to protect that right.

Ms Ewart described the experience of returning to court as "really nerve-wracking", but added: "I am really hopeful that the High Court listens to what the Supreme Court has previously said - that women here who find themselves in the circumstances that I found myself in will get the help and the treatment that we need in our hospitals with our own medical teams."

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